Written answers

Tuesday, 12 July 2016

Department of Agriculture, Food and the Marine

Sustainable Development Goals

Photo of Mick WallaceMick Wallace (Wexford, Independent)
Link to this: Individually | In context | Oireachtas source

723. To ask the Minister for Agriculture, Food and the Marine the role his Department plays in fulfilling Ireland's commitment to the United Nations sustainable development goal number 2; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [21003/16]

Photo of Michael CreedMichael Creed (Cork North West, Fine Gael)
Link to this: Individually | In context | Oireachtas source

The United Nations' Sustainable Development Goal Number 2 “Zero Hunger” aims to “end hunger, achieve food security and improved nutrition and promote sustainable agriculture”. Food security is defined by the UN Food and Agriculture Organisation (FAO) as: “a situation that exists when all people, at all times, have physical, social and economic access to sufficient, safe and nutritious food that meets their dietary needs and food preferences for an active and healthy life”. At international level, Ireland’s development aid programme has a strong focus on food and nutrition, including through funding from my own Department to the UN FAO and WFP (World Food Programme). In 2015 my Department doubled its annual contribution of untied aid to the WFP to €20 million a year for each of the next three years. The WFP is the United Nations organisation responsible for the delivery of food assistance to the poorest and most vulnerable people in the world. It feeds 80 million of the most malnourished people in 80 countries and significantly contributes to the goal of zero hunger.

At national level, food security is addressed through a range of Government policies providing social protection and supports for low income, disadvantaged and vulnerable groups. Furthermore the Food Dudes and Food Dudes Boost programmes, managed by Bord Bia and co-funded by my Department under the EU School Fruit and Vegetable Scheme will be run in 700 national schools this year, reaching around 113,000 pupils. The mix of repeat tasting, rewards and Food Dudes role models has been shown to develop a taste for fresh fruit and vegetables leading to increased consumption which is important for health.

The Food Wise Strategy aims to grow the Irish agri-food sector in an economic, environmental and socially sustainable manner, building on our strengths in the production of safe, healthy and nutritious food. Ireland is already one of the EU’s most efficient producers of milk and beef, in terms of carbon footprint per unit of output. But under Food Wise we are implementing measures to drive down the carbon intensity of our food production even further, resulting in both economic returns and environmental sustainability.

Comments

No comments

Log in or join to post a public comment.